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CDPXRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



By the Same Author 
Long Will: A Romance 

The most perfect imaginative re- 
construction of the Mediasval Eng- 
land of Piers Plowman which has 
yet appeared. Already a classic. 

In Everyman's Library. 
Cloth, 50c.net. Leathery $1.00 net 



The House of Prayer 

Never have the joy and the 
beauty of the Church's traditions 
and practices been so delightfully 
expressed as in these delicate and 
lovely stories of the little boy and 
his angel. 

$1.50 net 

With 8 lllmtratiom 

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The Blessed Birthday 



The Blessed Birthday 

A Christmas Miracle Play- 



By 

Florence Converse 




New York 

E, P» Dutton & Company 

6Zt Fifth Avenue 



6 'f)^ 



Copyright, 1917 

BY 

E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 



Printed in the United States of America 



NOV -I 1917 



©CLA476867 



The Blessed Birthday 

A Christmas Miracle Play 

The People in the Play: 

The Angels : 

The Angel of the Annunciation 
The Angel of the Nativity 
The Angel of the Resurrection 

The Holy Family: 
Joseph 
Mary- 
Jesus 

The Children: 

John the Baptist 
Abner 
Hezekiah 
Tobias 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Eli 
Ruth 

Miriam 
Leah 

The Wedding Party: 
The Bride 
The Bridegroom 
The Parents of the Bride and 

Bridegroom 
The Guests 

The Place: 

Village houses, low, white, and win- 
dowless, with flat roofs, stand about a 
well in an open place in Nazareth. At 
the left is the house of the Bridegroom, 
with a rich eastern carpet laid down over 
the doorsteps, and an embroidered silk 
curtain hanging before the door, hi 
the center, at the rear, is Joseph's 
house. The carpenter's bench can be 
seen within the wide doorway, and there 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

are shavings littered about the steps. 
An outside stair crosses the front of 
the house, going up from the right of the 
door, to the roof. At the right is the 
house where Ahner, Ruth, and little 
Eli live. The well is of stones, with a 
seat built out from the base a?id run- 
ning round it. The Angel of the 
Annunciation, tall, and immortally 
young, stands at the left of Joseph's 
door. He wears the livery of the Holy 
Ghost: the flame color of Pentecost 
covers him, and his wings are feathered 
flame. The image of a dove is em- 
broidered 071 his breast, and his halo is 
full of rays, long and short, like the 
rays of a monstrance. He carries 
Mary's lilies in his hand. The Angel 
of the Nativity and the Angel of the 
Resurrection stand, one above the other, 
on the outside stairway against the 
wall of Joseph's house. The livery of 
3 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

the Incarnation clothes the Angel of 
the Nativity: Earth's green and 
heaven's blue. He holds seven stars 
in his hand, and the Star of Bethlehem 
is blazoned on his breast. His halo 
is three golden rings, one within another, 
like the rings of Saturn. His wings 
are streaked and burnished with the 
blues of the sky; the blues of night and 
day and twilight, the blue of the zenith 
and the horizon's blue. Beneath his 
leafy green surcoat his robe is dim and 
dark like the trunks of trees at dusk. 
The Angel of the Resurrection wears 
the livery of the Lamb of God. He is 
clothed with a white robe and he bears 
a palm branch hi his hands. His 
great wi?igs shine with a rainbow 
shimmer, and they are fidl of eyes, 
like the feathers of a peacock. On 
his breast, set in the midst of golden 
rays, is the image of a white lamb. 
4 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Within the circle of his halo shines the 
sign of the Cross. The Child Jesus 
sits by the well busily polishing a little 
wooden box, fitting its cover on and 
taking it off, examining the edges and 
carriers. His white tunic. Jailing a 
little way below his knees, is embroid- 
ered around the neck and sleeves with a 
pattern of blue and purple and scarlet, 
and these are the mitigled colors of his 
girdle. His feet are sandaled. While 
he is busy about his little box, the 
A?igels chant the opening words of the 
Gospel according to St. John. Through- 
out the Miracle, when the Angels 
speak, they chant or sing their words. 
Theirs is the tongue of Holy Writ. 

The Angels : 

In the beginning was the Word, 
and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God. 
5 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

The same was in the beginning 
with God. 

All things were made by him ; and 
without him was not anything 
made that was made. 

In him was life; and the life was 
the light of men. 

And the light shineth in dark- 
ness; and the darkness com- 
prehended it not. 

That was the true Light, which 
lighteth every man that cometh 
into the world. 

He was in the world, and the 
world was made by him, and 
the world knew him not. 

He came unto his own, and his 
own received him not. 

But as many as received him, to 
them gave he power to become 
the sons of God, even to them 
that believe on his name: 
6 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Which were born, not of blood, 
nor of the will of the flesh, nor 
of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word was made flesh, 
and dwelt among us, (and we 
beheld his glory, the glory- 
as of the only begotten of the 
Father,) full of grace and truth. 

[Mary appears in the doorway of 
Joseph's house. She has on 
her blue clothes, and the blue 
veil over her parted hair] 

Mary: 

Who is singing? 

The Angel of Annunciation: 

Hail, thou that art highly favored, 
the Lord is with thee: blessed 
art thou among women. 
7 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Mary: 

Gabriel! I thought it was your 
voice. And this one with the 
stars is another old friend. 

Angel of Nativity : 

Glory to God in the highest, 
and on earth peace, good will 
toward men. 

Mary: 

Yes; the night my Son was born, 
you were there. But your 
brother with the palm branch — 

Jesus [looking up from his work] : 
He is another birthday messenger. 

Mary: 

I do not remember him. 

Angel of Resurrection: 

Behold, I show you a mystery; 
we shall not all sleep, but we 
shall all be changed. 
8 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Awake and sing, ye that dwell 
in dust: for thy dew is as the 
dew of herbs, and the earth 
shall cast out the dead. 

Mary: 

A mystery? — What does he say? 

Jesus [coming from the well to his 
Mother] : 
He says I shall have another 
birthday. 

Mary: 

Oh, my little Son, many, many 
more! [She puts her arms 
around him.] 

Jesus: 

I shall have a birthday at the 
Feast of the Passover. 

Mary [explaining] : 

No, no; now is the time of the 
Feast of Dedication — when 

9 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

they built the new temple, 

don't you know? 
Jesus [gently]: 

But I shall have a birthday at the 

Feast of the Passover. 
Mary [regarding her Son for a moment 

with mild perplexity, then 

turning to the Angel oj the 

Annunciation] : 
He has so many strange little 

ways. But I keep all these 

things in my heart. 
Angel of Annunciation: 

He shall be great, and shall be 

called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give 

unto him the throne of his 

father David: 
And he shall reign over the house 

of Jacob forever; and of his 

kingdom there shall be no 

end. 

10 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Mary: 

That, too, I keep in my heart. 
[She looks within the housed 
Joseph, we shall be late for 
the wedding. — He is getting a 
little deaf. — Joseph, dear ! [She 
comes down the doorsteps with 
her arm around her So7i.\ 

Joseph [appearing at the door in his 
brown loose cloak and flowing 
white head-covering bound about 
with a crimson turban] : 
I am ready, Mary. [He comes out 
into the square, sees the little 
box lying on the seat by the 
well, and picks it up to examine 
it.] 

Mary [touching his arm] : 

Will you not bid the visitors 
welcome? 

u 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Joseph: 

Visitors? [He looks about him.] 

Mary: 

The angels who have come to 
greet my Son on his birthday. 

Joseph : 

Angels, do you say? Well, well! 
I have not seen an angel since 
Herod slew the innocents. 

Where? 

Mary: 

Yonder, by our house. 

Joseph [peering]: 

You and the child have better 
eyes. I shall have to take your 
word for it. If it were neces- 
sary, no doubt I should see 
them. [He holds out his hand 
to Jesus, and draws the child to 
him.] What is this you make? 
[Showing him the box.] 

12 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus: 

A gift for the bride. 

Mary: 

Poor little dumb bride! He's so 
sorry for her. 

Joseph [still examining the box] : 

I never taught you to join the 
comers so. 

Jesus : 

No. 

Joseph: 

It is a good way. 

Jesus : 

It is the way the comers were 
joined in the ark of the cove- 
nant, to make the cover fit 
tight. 

Joseph : 

The ark of the covenant ! 
13 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus: 

That the children of Israel made 
for Moses, to hold the tables 
of the law. 

Joseph [with kindly irony] : 

And I suppose you will be telling 
me next, that Moses showed 
you how. 

Jesus [twinkling and smiling at 
Joseph's little joke] : 
Oh, no ; I knew how before. 

Joseph [amzised, but reproving him 
gently] : 
Now, now ! that's no way to speak 
of Moses. 
Mary: 

He doesn't mean to be irreverent. 
Joseph [with indulgent skepticism] : 
I don't know what he means, 
but he will be a good carpenter. 
Look at that box ! 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Mary: 

A carpenter! [Hastily]. Well, 
perhaps.. Come, Joseph ; come, 
dear. I should not mind being 
a little late if this were an 
ordinary wedding; but with 
the bride struck dumb two 
days ago, and her mother nearly 
out of her mind with grief, — 
come! 

[Mary and Joseph go off together 
by the lane opening between 
Joseph's house and Abner's 
house. Jesus sits down again 
by the well and polishes his 
box. The Angel oj the Nativity 
and the Angel of the Resurrec- 
tion come down to the door of 
Joseph's house, and the three 
Angels stafid side by side on the 
doorstep and chant together cer- 
15 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

tain passages from the Book oj 
the Prophet Isaiah. The Child 
fits the box and its cover neatly 
together and sets the box on the 
broad well-curb. He rests with 
his arm on the well-curb and his 
head on his hand, listening to 
the Angels.] 

The Angels : 

For my thoughts are not your 
thoughts, neither are your 
ways my ways, saith the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher 
than the earth, so are my ways 
higher than your ways, and my 
thoughts than your thoughts. 

I am he; I am the first, I also am 
the last. 

Mine hand also hath laid the 
foundation of the earth, and 
my right hand hath spanned 
i6 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

the heavens: when I call unto 
them, they stand up together. 

Come ye near unto me, hear ye 
this; I have not spoken in 
secret from the beginning; from 
the time that it was, there am 
I : and now the Lord God and 
his Spirit hath sent me. 

Glory be to the Father, and to 
the Son, and to the Holy 
Ghost; as it was in the begin- 
ning, is now, and ever shall 
be, world without end — Amen. 

[Children are heard shouting and 
laughing. Young John the Bap- 
tist enters, hy the lane at the lejt, 
between the Bridegroom'' s house 
and Joseph's. He is running 
and is pursued hy Hezekiah, 
Tobias, Miriam, and Leah. 
John's tunic is rough undyed 
17 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

homespun; his girdle and sandals 
are of leather; a lambskin hangs 
over one shoulder and down his 
back. In his hand he carries 
a slender staff with a cross piece 
near the top, and a little basket 
hangs on the crosspiece. The 
other children wear garments 
oj red, green, orange, brown, 
blue, or such colors as may be 
convenient.] 

Hezekiah[ twitching John's lambskin] : 
Wild boy! Wild boy! Look at 
the wild boy ! 

Leah: 

A Nazarite! See his long hair! 
[She gives John's hair a tweak.] 

Tobias [to Jesus, who has risen and is 

standing by the well]: 
i8 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

He says he lives with an old holy 
man, in the desert. 
Miriam [to Jesus) : 

He says he's your cousin. 

Jesus: 

Yes; my cousin John. 

[The two boys regard each other 
gravely, with shy awkwardness. 
The other children watch them 
curiously. A hner a?id Ruth and 
little Eli have come running out of 
their house, at the noise. They 
stand on their doorstep^ 

Ruth [crying out suddenly] : 
Oh, angels! 

Abner [rudely]: 

Call that an angel! That's a 
wild boy from the desert. [He 
moves over to the well, to join 
the other children.] 
19 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth: 

No; I mean over there. 

John [to Jesus] : 

Yesterday, my mother came to 
see me in the wilderness where 
I live with the old man, and 
she said this was your birth- 
day; so I came — I came — [he 
falters shyly] — to tell you I am 
glad you were born. 

Jesus [shyly, lovingly, taking John's 
hand] : 
Oh, John ! — Oh, thank you, John ! 

John [holding out the staff with the 

little basket swinging from it]: 

I brought you a piece of wild 

honeycomb, — saved from my 

breakfast. 

Tobias [snatchhig at the basket] : 
Honey! Wild honey! 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

John [lijting the staff, with the basket 
hanging from the crosspicce, 
high above his head] : 
Leave it be. It's not for you. 

[Tobias, Hezekiah, Abner and Leah 
struggle Jar the honey. Miriam 
stands a little apart, watching 
them. While Tobias clasps 
John round the middle, trying 
to throw him, the others leap a^id 
stretch for the basket.] 

Jesus: 

Don't let's fight. We'U all have 
a taste. 

John [struggling'. 

No; I brought it for you. 

Abner [to Tobias]: 

Trip him, — can't you? Here! 
Let me get a grip. 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

[The Angel of the Nativity has 
come down jrom Joseph's door- 
way. He lifts his arm over the 
heads of the wrestling children, 
and takes the basket off the 
crosspiece of the staff] 

Miriam : 

Look out! You've shaken off 
the basket. Don't step on it. 

Leah [looking among the boys' feet] : 
Where ! Where ! 

[The Angel of the Nativity goes 
back to Joseph's doorstep, the 
little basket hangitig from his 
finger.] 

Miriam : 

It dropped. I saw it. 

Abner: 

Hezekiah, you've got it. 

22 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Hezekiah : 

I have not. 
Ruth [spealzing from her doorway, 
where she stands holding little 
Eli's hand] :^ 
It didn't drop. The angel took 
it off the staff. The angel with 
the seven stars. 

The Other Children except John 

[frightetied] : 
Angels ! [They stand stilly looking 

over their shoidders, fearftdly.] 
Ruth: 

Over there by Joseph's house. 

Three of them. Eli sees them ; 

don't you, baby? 

Eli: 

Eli sees angels. One, two, seven, 
forty-leven. 

Tobias [to John] : 

Do you see them? 
23 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

John: 

Why, yes. They've been there 
all along. 

Miriam : 

I see — something. Yes, — I see 
one — very faint. 

Ruth : 

The starry one? 

Miriam : 

I see a lily. I see a dove. 

Abner: 

They don't see a thing. They're 
doing it to scare us. 

Hezekiah [frightened] : 

I see peacock's feathers. 

Leah: 

What else? 

Hezekiah : 

Just peacock's feathers — Oh! 
[He covers his eyes]. 
24 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth: 

I know! They've come to the 
wedding. They're here to wel- 
come the bride. 

Miriam: 

Then they've made a mistake in 
the house. That's not the 
bride's house. You tell them, 
Ruth. You see them better 
than I do. 

Jesus: 

They came because it's my birth- 
day. They didn't make a 
mistake. 

Abner: 

Angels! — For your birthday! [He 
laughs mockingly.] Who are 
you? You're nobody. 

[Jesus looks at him silently.] 
25 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth [comiitg from her house to join 
the other children] : 
Shame on you, Abner ! Hush ! 

Abner : 

Nobody! — Nobody! — I bet he 
picked up the basket and hid 
it. 

John : ' 

Well, if he did, it's his. I 
brought it to him. 

Abner [approaching Jesus] : 

Where's the honey. Nobody? 

Jesus [standirig quite still] : 
I am — Somebody. 

John [to Abner]: 

You leave my cousin alone. 

[The three Angels come down 
Joseph's two doorsteps swiftly, 
their gartnents flyijig] 
26 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth: 

Abner, Abner, the angels are 
angry ! 

[Abner, startled by Ruth, backs 
away from Jesus, involuntarily] 
Jesus: 

They won't hurt you. 

Abner [recovering himself ] : 

There ain't any angels. I don't 
see 'em. 

[The three Angels slowly move 
backward and stand once more 
on Joseph's threshold. Abner 
has backed toward his own 
house, a little way.] 
Abner : 

Think you can frighten me with 
angels, — you, — Nobody! — 
Born in a stable! 

Tobias and Hezekiah [taunting : 
Born in a stable! 
27 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth and Miriam [reproving]: 
No, boys; don't. 

Leah : 

Well, it's true. 

Abner: 

Nobody! Nobody! You don't 
even know who's your father. 

Jesus [quicUy]: 
Oh, yes, I do. 

Abner: 
Who? 

Jesus: 

I'll tell you some day. 

Abner: 

Who? 

[Jesus looks at him silently. A hner 
sees the little box on the well- 
curb. He runs and snatches it 
up.] 

28 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Abner: 

Tell me, or I'll throw this down 
the well. 

Ruth: 

No, no, Abner! He made it for 
the bride. 

[Jesus looks at him silently.] 

Abner : 

Going to tell me? — When I count 
three, it goes down the well. — 
Going to tell me? — One! 

Hezekiah: 

Say, Abner, no fair! 

Tobias: 

Shut up, Hezekiah. Don't you 
mix in. Let 'em fight it out. 

Abner [scornfully] : 
Him fight! 

29 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

[Jesus looks silently at Abner, who 
mounts the seat by the well and 
holds the box over the welVs 
mouth.] 

Abner: 

Going to tell me? — Two! 

John [passionately] : 

You're a bad, bad boy. You'd 
better be sorry for what you're 
doing. If you throw that box 
down the well, Jesus and I 
will duck you, head down; 
won't we, Jesus? 

Jesus [tranquilly] : 

But, John, that wouldn't make 
him sorry, 

John [disconcerted, and regarding! esus 
with some exasperation]'. 
But we're going to do something 
to him, aren't we? 
30 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus [his face lighting up with 
sudden merriment : 
Yes; something. 

Abner : 

Laugh at me, will you? — Think 
I won't do it, do you? — Once 
more! — Going to tell me who 
your father is? 

Jesus : 

I'll tell you some day. 

Abner: 

Three! [He drops the box into 
the well. It splashes.] 

[There is a moment of shocked 
silence. The Angels look at 
one another and shake their 
heads in disapproval.] 

Tobias \with a little squeal] : 
He did it! 

31 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Ruth: 

His little box! His pretty little 
box that he made for the 
bride.— Oh! 

Hezekiah: 

It wasn't fair. 

Miriam : 

No ; it was not. 

Leah: 

Lick him, Jesus! Sic the angels 
on him, why don't you? 

Abner : 

Angels ! Your Grandmother ! [ To 
Jesus-] Why don't you say 
something ? — Think yOu can 
scare me ? Go home, Nobody ! 

[Jesus gazes silently at Abner.] 

John: 

Jesus, Jesus! Let me fight him 
for you. Please ! 
32 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Abner [to Jesus] : 

Go home! We don't want to 
play with you. Born in a 
stable! 
Tobias : 

Born in a 

Hezekiah: 

Shut up I 
Abner: 

Go home, I say! — ^We don't want 
you. [He stoops, picks up a 
stone, and swings Ids arm up.] 
Go ho — ah! [He shrieks. 
The stone falls from his hand, 
and with it a little snake.] 
[The children scream and start 
backward, all hut John, who 
runs to the little snake and heats 
it with his staff. Abner, be- 
tween the well and his own 
house, stands stupidly holding 
out his hand and looking at it.] 
33 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

John: 

It's dead. 

Ruth [bending over it] : 

A viper ! [She screams.] 

The Other Children: 

A viper! [They all gaze at Abner 
in horror.] 

Ruth [crying]: 

He'll die! My brother will die! 

[Leah and little Eli, who clings 
to Ruth, also begin to cry. The 
other children stand silent and 
horror-stricken.] 

Jesus [going up to Abner]: 

Don't be frightened, Abner. 
Don't be frightened, dear Ab- 
ner. 

[Abner sta?ids rigid, looking at his 
outstretched hand. Jesus takes 
the hand in his, bends his head 
34 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

down, and gently, slowly, kisses 
the open palm. Then he closes 
the fingers over the palm, bends 
the arm at the elbow, and 
lays the closed hand against 
Abner's breast.] 

Little Eli [who stopped crying when 
Jesus spoke to Abner]: 
Jesus kissed the place and made 
it all well. 

[The children sigh. Abner, still 
dazed, opens his hand and looks 
at it. Then he looks at Jesus 
gravely. While A b?ier a?td Jesus 
are looking into each other's 
eyes, the Angels chant these 
words from the Book of the 
Prophet Isaiah.] 

The Angels : 

I will mention the loving kind- 
nesses of the Lord, and the 
35 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

praises of the Lord, according 
to all that the Lord hath 
bestowed on us, and the great 
goodness toward the house of 
Israel, which he hath bestowed 
on them according to his 
mercies, and according to the 
multitude of his loving kind- 
nesses. 
For he said, Surely they are my 
people, children that will not 
lie: so he was their Saviour. 

Abner [suddenly bursting into tears mid 
Jiiding his face in his arm] : 
I can't bear it! I can't bear it! 
I threw his little box down the 
well. — I called him names. — 
I can't bear it! [Still with his 
arm before his eyes, he turns 
and runs blindly away from 
the children and stumbles up 
against the Angel of the Resur- 
36 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

rection. He clutches the Angel 
and sobs, hurymg his face in 
the white robe. The Angel of 
the Resurrection pats him and 
smooths his hair.] 

Miriam : 

He might have died! — People do, 

John: 

I'm glad he's sorry at last. 

Jesus [softly]: 

He didn't know what he was 
doing. Don't let's talk about 
it any more. Let's eat the 
honey. 

John : 

Yes, let's. 

Jesus [looking at little Eli and smiling] : 
Where's the honey, baby? 

Eli: 

Eli knows. 

37 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus: 

Will you go find it for Jesus? 

[Eli runs to the door of Joseph's 
house, and stops before the 
Angel of the Nativity. Eli puts 
his finger in his mouth shyly.] 

Tobias: 

There are Angels ! — I see them ! 

Leah: 

So do I. 

Miriam: 

Three! — and such beauties! 

{The Angel of the Nativity stoops 
and gives the little basket to Eli^ 

Ruth: 

Make your bow, baby. 

{Eli takes his fiJiger out of his 
mouth, pidls the curl that hangs 
over his forehead, and bobs his 
38 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

little head. The Angels smile. 
Eli comes hack to Jesus and 
gives him the honey basket. 
The children gather close around 
Jesus] 



Hezekiah: 

There isn't much. Do you think 
it'll go round ? 

Jesus: 

Oh, yes ! 

Ruth: 

Jesus knows how to make things 
go round. I've noticed that 
whenever he goes shares there's 
always enough for everybody. 

Miriam : 

So have I. Umm ! Good honey ! 

Leah: 

Don't give me so much, Jesus. 

39 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

John: 

You needn't count me in. I can 
have it any time. 

Jesus : 

But there's plenty, John. 

Tobias: 

Have you got some left for your- 
self? 

Jesus: 

Abner, here's your piece. 

Leah: 

After he's been so mean ! 

Jesus: 

We can't begin to eat till you 
come, Abner; won't you come? 

[Abner lifts his face from the folds 
of the Angel's robe. The Angel 
wipes away his tears. Reluc- 
tantly, shamefacedly, Abner 
comes hack to the- children. 
40 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus gives him a piece of the 
honeycomb. They look at each 
other shyly. Their hands move 
to their mouths in embarrassed 
silence. They bite the honey- 
comb simultaneously, and simid- 
taneously they smile at each 
other. The other childreit all 
laugh. And the Angels chant 
certain verses from the Ni?ie- 
teenth Psalm.] 

The Angels : 

The law of the Lord is perfect, 
converting the soul: the testi- 
mony of the Lord is sure, 
making wise the simple. 

The statutes of the Lord are 
right, rejoicing the heart: the 
commandment of the Lord 
is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is clean, 
enduring forever: the judg- 
41 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

ments of the Lord are true and 

righteous altogether. 
More to be desired are they than 

gold, yea, than much fine 

gold: sweeter also than honey 

and the honeycomb. 
Ruth: 

Listen! The Angels! Do you 

hear them ? 

Angel of Nativity: 

Glory to God in the highest ! 

Glory to God in the highest ! 
Angel of Annunciation : 

And on earth peace! 

Glory to God in the highest ! 

Angel of Resurrection: 
And on earth peace, 
Good will toward men ! 
Glory to God in the highest! 

The Three Angels : 

Glory to God in the highest! 
42 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

And on earth peace, 
Goodwill toward men ! 
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 



Miriam : 



What song is that? 



t> 



Jesus: 

My birthday song. The angels 
sang it the night that I was 
born. 

Leah: 

But it's not true that you were 
born in a stable. 

Jesus: 

Oh, yes; it's true. 

[The children have heen standijtg 
in a little group in front of the 
well, eating their honey. They 
look at one another, abashed.] 

Miriam : 

Do you remember it? 

43 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Jesus : 

Yes; quite well. 

Leah: 

How did it feel to lie in hay, in 
a manger? 

Jesus [merrily]: 
It tickled. 
[The children laugh.] 

Hezekiah : 

My mother told me there were 
shepherds saw you in that 
stable. 

Angel of Nativity [comi7tg down 
Joseph's steps, lijting his ha?id 
to command attention, and sing- 
ing in a loud voice] : 
Behold, I bring you good tidings ! 

Ruth: 

He's going to tell us something. 
He wants us to be still. 
44 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

[Ruth, Miriam, and little Eli sit 
down on the steps of the Bride- 
groom's house, on the bright 
carpet. Tobias, Hezekiah, and 
Leah scamper up the outside 
staircase of Joseph's house and 
sit about halfway up, Hezekiah 
and Tobias side by side on one 
stair, and Leah two stairs above 
them. John the Baptist is kneel- 
ing on the well-seat with his 
elbows on the well-curb and his 
chin in his hands, looking 
across the well at the angels. 
Abner leans against the wall 
of his house and Jesus goes 
ajid leans beside him, against 
the house. Presently Abner 
links arms with Jesus. 
Angel of Nativity [chanting certain 
portions of the Gospel according 
to St. Luke] : 
45 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

It came to pass in those days, 
that there went out a decree 
from Ccesar Augustus, that all 
the world should be taxed. 

And all went to be taxed, every- 
one Into his own city. 

And Joseph also went up from 
Galilee, out of the city of 
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto 
the city of David, which is 
called Bethlehem; (because he 
was of the house and lineage 
of David :) 

To be taxed with Mary his 
espoused wife, being great with 
child. 

And so it was, that, while they 
were there, the days were 
accomplished that she should 
be delivered. 

And she brought forth her first- 
born son, and wrapped him in 
46 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

swaddling clothes, and laid 
him in a manger; because there 
was no room for them in the 
inn. 

And there were in the same 
country shepherds abiding in 
the field, keeping watch over 
their flocks by night. 
Angel of Annunciation [moving 
down one step and taking up the 
talc] : 

And, lo, the angel of the Lord 
came upon them, and the glory 
of the Lord shone round about 
them: and they were sore 
afraid. 

And the angel said unto them : 
Angel of Nativity [in Ids clear, 
triumphant voice] : 

Fear not: for, behold, I bring 
you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people. 
47 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

For unto you is born this day in 
the city of David a Saviour, 
which is Christ the Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto 
you; Ye shall find the babe 
wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
lying in a manger. 

Angel of Annunciation : 

And suddenly, there was with 
the angel a multitude of the 
heavenly host praising God, 
and saying, — 

The Three Angels: 

Glory to God in the highest, 
and on earth peace, good will 
toward men. 

Angel of Annunciation: 

And it came to pass, as the angels 
were gone away from them 
into heaven, the shepherds 
said one to another, — 
48 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

The Three Angels: 

Let us now go even unto Bethle- 
hem, and see this thing which 
is come to pass, which the 
Lord hath made known unto 
us. 

Angel of Annunciation: 

And they came with haste, and 
found Mary, and Joseph, and 
the babe lying in a manger. 

And when they had seen it, they 
made known abroad the saying 
which was told them concern- 
ing this child. 

And all they that heard it won- 
dered at those things which 
were told them by the shep- 
herds. 

But Mary kept all these things, 
and pondered them in her 
heart. 

And the shepherds returned, 

4 49 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

glorifying and praising God for 
all the things that they had 
heard and seen, as It was told 
unto them. 

Miriam : 

Oh, what a dariing story! Isn't 
there more? 

Hezekiah and Leah: 
More! More! 

Tobias : 

What about those kings? My 
father said there was a story 
about kings, but he didn't 
believe it. Neither did I. 
Was it true? 

John the Baptist: 

True! Of course It was true! 
There were three of them. 

Hezekiah [to the Angels] : 

Oh, do tell us about the kings. 
50 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Angel of Annunciation [chanting 
certain portions of the Gospel 
according to St. Matthew] : 
Now when Jesus was born in 
Bethlehem of Judcca in the 
days of Herod the king, be- 
hold, there came wise men from 
the east to Jerusalem, saying, — 

Angel of Nativity : 

Where is he that is born King of 
the Jews? for we have seen 
his star in the east and are 
come to worship him. 

Angel of Annunciation: 

When Herod the king had heard 
these things, he was troubled, 
and all Jerusalem with him. 
And when he had gathered all the 
chief priests and scribes of the 
people together, he demanded 
of them where Christ should be 
51 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

born. And they said unto 
him, — 
Angel of Resurrection [moving 
down to stand beside the Angel 
oj the Annunciation]: 
In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus 

it is written by the prophet, 
And thou Bethlehem, in the land 
of Judah, art not the least 
among the princes of Judah: 
for out of thee shall come a 
Governor, that shall rule my 
people Israel. 
Angel of Annunciation : 

Then Herod, when he had privily 
called the wise men, enquired 
of them diligently what time 
the star appeared. 
And he sent them to Bethlehem, 
and said, — 
Angel of Nativity: 

Go and search diligently for the 
52 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

young child ; and when ye have 
found him, bring me word 
again, that I may come and 
worship him also. 

Angel of Annunciation : 

When they had heard the king, 
they departed; and, lo, the 
star, which they saw in the 
east, went before them, till it 
came and stood over where 
the young child was. 

Angel of Nativity: 

When they saw the star, they 
rejoiced with exceeding great 
joy. 
The Three Angels: 

And when they were come into 
the house, they saw the young 
child with Mary his mother, 
and fell down and worshiped 
him: and when they had 
53 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

opened their treasures, they 
presented unto him gifts ; gold, 
and frankincense, and myrrh. 

Hezekiah [jumping up, and running 
down the stairway] : 
Jesus is our king! Jesus is our 
king! 

Ruth and Miriam [running to Jesus 
and talzing his hands]: 
Come, Jesus! Come and be 
king! 

Tobias and Leah [hurrying to join 
the other children] : 
Come sit by the well, Jesus! 
Play it's your throne ! 

[The Angels and John the Baptist 
go to the door oj the Bride- 
groom's house, and take up the 
carpet by the Jour corners, and 
spread the carpet over the seat 
by the well. The children pull 
54 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

and push Jesus to the well and 
make him sit down. The Angel 
of the Resurrection goes to the 
well, behind Jesus, on the other 
side of the well-mouth, and 
mounts to the well-curb. Stand- 
ing upright on top of the broad 
well-curb, with his great wings 
spread wide, he is the back of 
the throne. The Angel of the 
Annunciation stands on the 
curving well-seat at the left of 
Jesus, and the Angel of the 
Nativity stands on his right. 
So these two, standing upright, 
but a little below the Angel of the 
Resurrection, and with their 
wings spread wide, arc the 
arms of the throne. And the 
three take hands. Between and 
beneath them, as under a caiiopy 
of cherubim and glory, _ sits the 
55 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

child Jesus, smiling at his 
playmates. The children stand 
before Jesus, at the right and 
the left of the throne. Ahner, 
John the Baptist, Ruth, and little 
Eli are on the left hand. Leah, 
Miriam, Tobias, and Hezekiah 
are on the right.] 

John: 

He ought to have a crown. 

Ruth: 

We can make beheve he has 
many crowns on his head. 

Miriam : 

We can make believe a scepter. 

Tobias: 

Jesus, when we're grown up 

we'll give you a crown, and a 

scepter in your hand, and 

we'll put a purple robe on you. 

56 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

[TJie three Angels bend their heads 
and hide their faces in their 
hands, Jesus gazes straight 
ahead, gravely, as if he saw 
something sad a long way off.] 

Hezekiah [shouthtg, and lifting up 
his arms] : 
Hail, King of the Jews! 

Ruth [lifting up her arms] : 
Hail, Everybody's King! 

The Children [standing with up- 
lifted arms] : 
Hail!— Hail!— Hail! 

[When the children cry Hail! the 
Angels lift up on high the palm 
branch, the lilies, and the seven 
stars. Little Eli runs to Jesus, 
scrambles up on the seat beside 
him, puts his arms around 
Jesus' s neck and kisses him. 
57 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

And Jesus hugs little Eli. In 
the distance trumpets are heard] 

Abner [crying out in anguish] : 

The wedding! Oh, can't we 
get the little box out of the 
well? Can't we? 

Jesus: 

Don't cry, Abner. I'll give the 
Bride something else. 

[Jesus gets up from his throne; all 
the other childre?t, except Abner, 
have run to look down the lane 
between Joseph's house and 
Abner' s. The Angels descend 
from the well and carry the 
Bride's carpet back to the 
Bridegroom's house. They 
spread the carpet tidily before the 
door and over the steps. The 
trumpets are heard again, nearer. 
Jesus and Abfter are left by 
58 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

the well. Abner kneels on the 

well-seat, looking over the curb, 

down the well.] 
Abner: 

I want her to have the little box. 

I shall always want her to 

have the little box. 
Jesus [putting his arm over Abner' s 

shoulder] : 
I'm sorry, Abner. 

Abner [turning and flinging his arms 
around Jesus] : 
Oh, Jesus, why did I do it? 
Why did I? 

Jesus: 

Abner, I love you; and you love 
me. We're friends. 
Abner [lifting his head and smiling]: 

Yes; we're friends. 

[The trumpets sound close by. 
The Angels have gone up the 
59 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

outside stairway oj Joseph's 
house and stand one above 
another, on the stairs; the 
Angel oj the Resurrection at 
the top, and the Angel of the 
Nativity and the Angel of the 
Annunciation in order below 
him.] 

Leah: 

Hurry, Jesus! Abner, here they 
come! 

Miriam : 

See the Bride! How sad she 
looks! Only three days ago 
she could speak, like us. And 
now she's dumb. 

Tobias: 

And the Bridegroom is sad, look! 

He didn't have to marry her 

when she lost her tongue. 

But he stuck to his bargain. 

60 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

My father says he's a good 
fellow. 

Hezekiah : 

It's too bad Jesus can't give her 
the little box. I hope my 
bride won't go dumb when I 
get married. 

Ruth: 

Hush — ssh! They'll hear you! 

[The Bride and Bridegroom, their 
parents, Mary, Joseph, and other 
wedding guests, some with trum- 
pets and cymbals, come into the 
little square by the lane between 
Joseph's house and the house of 
Abner. They wear the wedding 
garments of the East. The 
faces of the Bride and Bride- 
groom are sad. As he leads 
her past Joseph's house she 
looks up and sees the Angels on 

6l 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

(he stairs. She stands still, 
pulls the Bridegroom' s sleeve , 
points up at the Angels. The 
wedding procession halts behind 
her.] 

Bridegroom [trying to lead her on]: 
Not this house, the next is ours. 

[The Bride falls on her knees and 
lifts up her hands to the Angels. 
They lift their hands and point 
to Jesus. ] 

Bride's Mother: 

My daughter, my daughter! 
What new affliction is this? 
Come home to your husband's 
house. 

Ruth : 

She sees the Angels. 

The People [looking up and gaping : 
Angels! Where? Where? 
62 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Bridegroom's Father: 

Nonsense! Come, my son, we 
must get her into the house. 

[Hie Bridegroom and his Father 
lift up the Bride a?td support her 
between them to the threshold of the 
Bridegroom's house. She looks 
at them beseechingly and moves 
her lips but without a sound. 
Jesus has joined his Mother, 
and they have come from the 
rear of the procession, circling 
the front of the well, and are 
standing at the Bridegroom's 
threshold when the Bride is 
brought there.] 

Bridegroom : 

Speak to her, Mary. She is 
frightened. Welcome her ; com- 
fort her. You know how to 
comfort. 

63 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Mary: 

Do not tremble so, little dove. 
Welcome to Nazareth! Wel- 
come, dear neighbor! See, 
this is my little Son. He has a 
gift for you. 
[The Bride looks at Jesus and her 
face becomes quiet. After a 
moment she puts out her hands 
and draws him to her. He lifts 
his face, standing on tiptoe, 
and she bends hers. They kiss. 
The Bride looks up from the 
kiss, startled. Joy and amaze- 
ment light her face. She opens 
her mouth and bursts into sing- 
ing. Jesus stands, gazing up 
at her, and smiling happily. 
The people are transfixed in 
amazement.] 

The Bride [singing portions of the 
One Hundred a?id Third Psalm] : 
64 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and 
all that is within me, bless his 
holy name. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and 
forget not all his benefits: 

Who forgiveth all thine iniqui- 
ties; who healeth all thy dis- 
eases ; 

Who redeemeth thy Hfe from 
destruction ; who crowneth thee 
with loving kindness and tender 
mercies; 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with 
good things; so that thy 
youth is renewed like the 
eagle's. 

Like as a father pitieth his 
children, so the Lord pitieth 
them that fear him. 

The Lord hath prepared his 
throne in the heavens; and his 
kingdom ruleth over all. 
'^s 65 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, 
that excel in strength, that do 
his commandments, hearken- 
ing unto his word. 

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his 
hosts; ye ministers of his, that 
do his pleasure. 

Bless the Lord, all his works in 
all places of his dominion: 
bless the Lord, O my soul. 

The People [crying out in astonish- 
ment] : 
A miracle! A miracle! 

The Angel of the Resurrection 
[standing at the top oj the stair- 
way, he chants from the Book 
of the Prophet Isaiah] : 
Thus saith the high and lofty 
One that inhabiteth eternity, 
whose name is Holy; I dwell 
in the high and holy place, 
66 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

with him also that is of a 
contrite and humble spirit, 
to revive the spirit of the 
humble, and to revive the heart 
of the contrite ones. 

I have seen his ways, and I will 
heal him: I will lead him 
also, and restore comforts unto 
him and to his mourners. 

I create the fruit of the lips: 
Peace, peace to him that is far 
off, and to him that is near, 
saith the Lord; and I will heal 
him. 

The Children [suddenly bursting out 
into the Birthday So7i^ : 
Glory to God in the highest, 
. and on earth peace, good will 
toward men. 

The Angels [singing with the children] : 

Glory to God in the highest ! 

67 



THE BLESSED BIRTHDAY 

Glory to God in the highest ! 
And on earth peace ! 

The People [singing with the Children 
and the Aiigels] : 
And on earth peace! 
And on earth peace! 
Good will toward men! 
Good will! Good will! 
Glory to God in the highest, 
And on earth peace, 
Good will toward men ! 
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 



68 



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